We are Rambo-Ready for Stoke

It's a beautiful, if not windy, autumn day here in Northwest Indiana.  I just got done watching Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0.  Mourinho was magnanimous today and did not engage in any eye-poking.  He chose instead to give Jol a nice peck on the cheek.  I guess he's a better winner than loser.  Who of us can't say that?  I still detest him though.

Anyway,with Liverpool losing to Southampton's earlier, first place is ours for the taking.  And we have a chance to take those three points from the team that could have taken Aaron's footballing future from him.  How sweet it is indeed that Rambo is in the form of his career, overcoming injury and abuse (unfortunately from some of our own Arsenal fans) in time to face these uglies.  His ability to surmount these obstacles has his teammates and coach singing his praises:

"It took him a long time to get completely over that (leg break), especially in the duels, in the fights. He had a little resistance to go into the fights for a long time," said Wenger.

"It was in the last three or four months of last season when he started to come back.He had a difficult period in mid-season where people became a little bit impatient with him."..."He has a great engine, great spirit and has an obsession - he wants always to be better."

Jack adds: "He's done really well and you get that feeling that he's going to score in every game. Even towards the end of the game he gets forward because he is so fit and every shot he takes now seems to go in.

"I'm really happy for him, we gave him a bit of stick before when he didn't score many but he's playing really well now and we're all happy for him."

I think that this might be the first Stoke game in three years that Aaron won't have that leg break on his mind.  It'll be all about the football.

Mark Sparky Hughes has taken over management in an effort for the club to push past the long ball play and push up the table.  They currently reside in a comfortable ninth place having won two, lost one and drawn one.  Their total goals scored is two.  If they are trying to shift away from being known as a club that play negative football, their season start has not been promising. With any luck, they will continue  trying to play more attacking football against us tomorrow, as that style will suit us much more than the Rory Delap style of old .  Here's hoping Sparky leaves the Stoke long-ball legacy behind.

In team news, Mikel is back in the squad.  I am figuring Wenger will start him on the bench perhaps subbing him in later if the match permits.  I personally favor Flamini in the holding role.  He is quicker and more energetic, although at times a bit rash.  While Mikel is calmer and a leader, he has slowed down a tad.  I look for Mikel to play a major part in our Capital One and FA Cup matches.  Whatever role he plays, it is nice to have him, and the much needed depth he provides, back in the squad.

Those of you who perused the Arsenal site today may have noticed a certain Dane training with our first teamers.  Whether he makes the bench this Sunday is anyone's guess, but I am certain he will also be instrumental in our run for a cup.  But that's a post for another day.

That's it for now.  Enjoy the day. It can't go by quick enough to get to Sunday morning.  Let's Go You Reds!